Description
Southern cooks treasure this creamy banana pudding classic born from simple ingredients and nostalgic comfort. Rich vanilla custard layered with ripe bananas and crisp vanilla wafers creates a delightful dessert Southern families cherish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 1 box vanilla wafers (about 8 oz / 226 g)
- 3 eggs
- 3 cups milk (710 ml)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup sugar (150 g)
- ¼ cup flour (30 g)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare Base: Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a saucepan, creating a foundational dry mixture for the pudding.
- Milk Integration: Gradually whisk milk into the dry ingredients, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency while heating over medium flame.
- Thickening Process: Stir continuously as the mixture gently bubbles, simmering for two minutes to achieve a rich, creamy texture.
- Egg Tempering: Carefully incorporate a small portion of hot pudding into whisked eggs, gently blending to prevent curdling, then reintegrate the tempered mixture back into the main pudding.
- Final Cooking: Return the combined mixture to low heat, bringing to a delicate boil while stirring constantly, then remove and infuse with vanilla extract.
- Cooling Technique: Allow pudding to cool for fifteen minutes, stirring periodically to prevent skin formation.
- Layering Foundation: In an 8-inch square pan, create alternating layers of vanilla wafers, fresh banana slices, and the prepared pudding mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Chilling and Setting: Seal the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours to allow flavors to meld and texture to set.
- Presentation: Before serving, garnish with crushed vanilla wafers and enjoy this classic dessert chilled.
Notes
- Prevent Lumpy Pudding: Whisk milk gradually and continuously to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture during preparation.
- Temper Eggs Carefully: Slowly add hot pudding to eggs, stirring constantly to avoid curdling and maintain a silky consistency.
- Control Heat Precisely: Maintain medium-low heat while stirring to prevent scorching and achieve perfect pudding thickness.
- Chill for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow ingredients to meld and develop a rich, cohesive taste.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg